Bill Clinton to speak at Grand Park 'Celebrate L.A.' party Friday

Antonio Villaraigosa and Bill Clinton, shown at a 2006 UCLA event, will be at downtown L.A.'s block party on Friday.

Antonio Villaraigosa and Bill Clinton, shown at a 2006 UCLA event, will be at downtown L.A.'s block party on Friday. (Los Angeles Times)

Joseph Serna

Bill Clinton will be in downtown Los Angeles Friday evening to send off Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and welcome Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti during a massive block party at Grand Park.

The 42nd president is scheduled to speak sometime between 6 and 7 p.m. followed by the outgoing mayor, famed Three Tenors opera singer Placido Domingo and Garcetti.

Clinton endorsed Wendy Greuel during the mayoral campaign.

Celebrate L.A. begins at 5 p.m. and ends after 9 p.m. City officials promise surprise concerts by Grammy-winning artists, along with Spanish and Native American musical performances. Food trucks will be on hand, too.

Ryan Seacrest, radio personality Dominique diPrima and comedian Wanda Sykes will help host the event.

Clinton’s appearance in L.A. will be the second of the day by a U.S. president. President Obama is scheduled to stop by a fund-raiser in Santa Monica in the morning.